Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience CTS-280

Organisation / Company University of Almeria Department Psychology Laboratory Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience CTS-280 Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The University of Almería is pleased to host potential MSCA-PF 2026 applicants! Professor Margarita Moreno (Dept. of Psychology) welcomes expressions of interest from talented researchers eager to develop an innovative project under her supervision. Applicants must satisfy the MSCA Mobility Rule. Further information regarding the 2026 call requirements is available here .

Our institution

Founded in 1993, the University of Almería (UAL) is a dynamic and modern public institution located on the Mediterranean coast, actively contributing to the European Research Area through international collaboration. Our research community comprises 1,041 professionals and 144 recognized research groups , all committed to excellence, social impact, and high-level knowledge transfer.

UAL is internationally recognized for its leadership in strategic sectors, ranking in the Top 151-200 of the Shanghai Ranking (GRAS) in fields such as Agricultural Sciences, Biotechnology, and Nursing. Our research capabilities are centralized in 12 Specialized Research Centers .

UAL holds a strong international vocation and a solid track record in international research programs (H2020, Horizon Europe) and academic cooperation (Erasmus+ KA2), currently managing 46 active international projects as both a partner and coordinator. We take pride in our leadership capacity,



having coordinated 9 Horizon Europe Pillar II proposals and heading large-scale initiatives such as the LIFE ACCLIMATE project, and the EU Reference Laboratories (EURL) network. Moreover, UAL is the Coordinator of UNIgreen , the Green European University—a European Alliance of 8 institutions dedicated to sustainable agriculture and biotechnology.

Our office provides "end-to-end" personalized advice, from the proposal writing phase (including technical reviews) to financial management and final reporting.

The Centre / Research Group

The CTS-280 Group (Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience) at the University of Almería (UAL), led by Professor Margarita Moreno Montoya, specializes in the neuropsychopharmacology of inhibitory control deficits. Their primary mission is to identify neurobiological markers and novel therapeutic targets to improve the treatment of disorders such as OCD, pathological gambling, and addiction.

Research lines focus on the key role of 5-HT2A receptors as modulators of neuroplasticity to reduce compulsivity, alongside regional studies on serotonin and glutamate gene expression. A major pillar is translational validity, utilizing preclinical models (e.g., schedule-induced polydipsia)



to evaluate vulnerability factors including early life stress, early immune activation, and the gut-microbiota-brain axis. Furthermore, the group explores innovative strategies such as psychedelic treatments and non-invasive brain stimulation for functional recovery.

The group maintains distinguished international partnerships with the Universities of Cambridge and St Andrews.

The Project

The Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience group (CTS-280) at the University of Almería, led by Dr. Margarita Moreno, offers a cutting-edge research environment for postdoctoral candidates focused on the neuropsychopharmacology of inhibitory control deficits. Current projects integrate advanced preclinical models and translational approaches to address compulsive disorders, addiction, and gambling.

The project "Facing compulsive disorders through neuroplasticity in preclinical models" focuses on identifying how the modulation of 5-HT2A and NMDA receptor systems can restore cognitive flexibility and decision-making without hallucinogenic effects. Research focuses on identifying biomarkers related to 5-HT2A and GluN2B receptor functionality to understand individual vulnerability.

Candidates will join a multidisciplinary team employing diverse techniques, including preclinical behavioral models in inhibitory control, gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR), inmunohistochemistry and collaboration with neuroimage reasearch groups by high-resolution MRI (voxel-based morphometry).

Research Areas

- Social Sciences and Humanities (SOC)
- Life Sciences (LIFE)

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Postdoc in Neuropsychopharmacology & Neuroplasticity (España)
🏢 University of Almeria
📍 España